Sooke Potholes. Photo by JoshMcCulloch.com
The Land Conservancy held a ceremonial “burning of the mortgage” at the Sooke Potholes today. TLC recently received a significant donation specifically for the Sooke Potholes that will allow it to pay off the remaining funds on the “green mortgage” that enabled TLC to secure the site.
“This is a great moment,” said TLC Executive Director, Bill Turner. “Not only does this mortgage-burning signal the completion of the Potholes acquisition project, but it also comes at the end of ten very successful years working with the CRD to help build one of the finest Regional Parks systems anywhere. There’s a lot to celebrate.”
The Sooke Potholes project is symbolic of how this partnership can achieve such success, Turner indicated. “It was complex and with a very challenging timeline. It required a willingness to act quickly and creatively, and to take some risk. But it worked, largely because of the faith and the support shown by thousands of area residents and, in particular, by the eleven green mortgage lenders who stepped up at the critical time. It also needed the vision and determination of the CRD. It’s been said many times that this project could never have been successful without this unique partnership.”
CRD Parks Committee Chair, Christopher Causton pointed out that the relationship with TLC has resulted in many other important achievements for the region: additions to regional parks at Mount Work, Thetis Lake, Horth Hill, Island View Beach and the Galloping Goose and Trans Canada Trails, and the creation of new parks at Gowlland Point, Matthews Point, Burgoyne Bay and the Sooke Hills – the magnificent backdrop and viewscape for the entire Region.
“The burning of this mortgage is also an opportunity for us to look forward to the next phase of our relationship”, added Alastair Craighead, Chair of TLC’s Board of Directors. “The CRD is currently looking at an extension of the Parks Acquisition Fund for another ten years. TLC will be addressing the parks committee this week to encourage them to go forward with a bold and comprehensive plan to complete the Parks system in this Region. And we will be making a commitment that TLC will be there as a partner – as we have been before – to help make the vision a reality.”
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For more information:
Bill Turner 250-589-8024
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